Tab Hunter was born Arthur Andrew Kelm in New York City on July 11, 1931 to Gertrude Gelien, a German Catholic immigrant and Charles Kelm, who was Jewish. When his parents divorced, his mother resumed her maiden name and also changed Art’s and his older brother, Walter’s last name to Gelien. With the help of her parents, the family moved to California. Art became Tab when his agent, Henry Willson, wanted him to have a name that fit his extremely handsome face and athletic, tall, tanned body. He became “Tab” because Willson thought he needed a catchy name and Hunter because he loved horses. Tab was “discovered” mucking out stables – a perfect entrance into the Hollywood circus. Throughout his career, Tab never lost his love of horses. His first film was The Lawless (1950) with Gail Russell and MacDonald Carey. His only spoken line ended up on the cutting room floor but his good looks got the attention of a new group of fans – teenage girls and boys. He became the property of Warner Bros studios where he stayed until the 1960s. After he left, his movie career essentially dried up and he did some TV, theater shows, and “tasteless films” but he never left the movie business. He is still working as a film producer and has authored his autobiography, Tab Hunter Confidential. He was inducted into the Classic Film Hall of Fame at the Rheem Theatre on Sept. 10, 2015.

1992 Dark Horse – Perkins

1988 Out of the Dark – Driver
1988 Grotesque – Rod
1988 Cameron’s Closet – Owen Lansing

1985 Lust in the Dust – Abel Wood

1982 Pandemonium – Blue Grange
1982 Grease 2 – Mr. Stuart
1982 And They’re Off – Henry Barclay

1981 Polyester – Todd Tomorrow

1976 Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood – David Hamilton

1975 Timber Tramps

1972 Sweet Kill – Eddie Collins
1972 The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean – Sam Dodd

1969 Bridge Over the Elbe – Richard

1968 Vengeance is My Forgiveness – Sheriff Durango
1968 The Last Chance – Patrick Harris

1967 The Cups of San Sebastian – Jerry
1967 Hostile Guns – Mike Reno

1966 Birds Do It – Lt. Porter

1965 The Loved One – Whispering Glades Tour Guide

1964 Ride the Wild Surf – Steamer Lane
1964 Man With Two Faces – Alex Carswell

1963 Operation Bikini – Lt. Morgan Hayes

1962 The Golden Arrow – Hassan

1961 The Pleasure of His Company – Roger Henderson

1959 Meet Me in St. Louis (TV Movie) – John Truett
1959 They Came to Cordura – Lt. William fowler
1959 That Kind of Woman – Red

1958 Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates (TV Movie) – Hans Brinker
1958 Lafayette Escadrille – Thad Walker
1958 Gunman’s Walk – Ed Hackett
1958 Damn Yankees! – Joe Hardy

1956 The Burning Hills – Trace Jordan
1956 The Girl He Left Behind – Andy L. Shaeffer

1955 Battle Cry – Pvt. / Cpl. Dan “Danny’ Forrester
1955 The Sea Chase – Cadet Wesser

1954 Return to Treasure Island – Clive Stone
1954 Track of the Cat – Harold Bridges

1953 Gun Belt – Chip Ringo
1953 The Steel Lady – Bill Larson

1952 Island of Desire – Marine Corporal Michael J. ‘Chicken’ Dugan

1950 The Lawless – Frank O’Brien

2015 Classic Film Hall of Fame - Inducted September 11, at the Rheem Theatre in Moraga California

1959 Nominated Golden Laurel – Top Male Musical Performance – Damn Yankees!